Method of and gauge for adjusting automatic looms



Sept. 30, 1941. H. HOEBER 2,257,257

METHOD OF AND GAUGE FOR ADJUSTING AUTOMATIC LOQMS Filed Nov. 14, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. HAEO Lo HOEBEE.

ATTQENEX Sept. 30, 1941. H. HOEBER 257,

METHOD OF AND GAUGE FOR ADJUSTING AUTOMATIC LQOMS Filed Nov. 14, 1940 2Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENI'OR.

HAROLD HOEBEB 1 ATToeA/E Y.

Patented Sept. 30, 1941 IWETHOD OF AND GAUGE F911. ADJUSTINGAUTOll/[ATIC LOOMS Harold Hocber, South Dartmouth, Mass, assignor toDraper Corporation, Hopetlale, Mass, a corporation of Maine ApplicationNovember 14, 1940, Serial No. 365,719

21 Claims.

This invention pertains to automatic filling replenishing looms and moreparticularly relates to methods of and gauges for adjusting the shuttlefeeler and picker stick thereof.

As generally constructed automatic filling replenishing looms includ areciprocating lay carrying at each end thereof, at least one shuttlebox, and replenishing mechanism including a magazine at one end of thebreast beam carrying a number of reserve filling carriers, and suitableactuating mechanism provided to automatically eject a filling carrierfrom the shuttle and to insert a fresh carrier therein upon thedetection of filling absence by the filling detecting device. In loomsof this type it is essential that the shuttle be properly positioned inthe shuttle box relative to the magazine so that a transfer can be made.The position of the shuttle in the shuttle box is determined by theshuttle feeler and the picker. Accordingly it is essential that theshuttl feeler and picker be adjusted so that when the shuttle comes torest in the shuttle box it will be in proper position, relative to themagazine, for transfer.

Accordingly it is a principal object of this invention to provide in anautomatic filling replenishing loom including a magazine, a lay having ashuttle box thereon, a shuttle feeler, a shuttle and a picker stick, ashuttle position gauge comprising indicating means carried by themagazine and indicating means in the shuttle whereby upon alignment ofthe indicating means said shuttle will be properly positioned in theshuttle box, relative to the magazine for transfer.

A further object of this invention is the provision of a new andimproved method of adjusting the shuttle feeler and picker stick toposition the shuttle in the shuttle box in operative relation to themagazine, for transfer.

These and other objects of the invention are accomplished in theconstruction illustrated on the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. l is a plan View of the right hand end of the lay and shuttle boxshowing parts thereof broken away;

2 is a rear view partly in section and with parts thereof broken away ofthe right hand end of the lay, shuttle box and magazine showing onemodification of the gauges of this invention mounted in position foruse;

Fig. 3 is a view in perspective of one modification of the shuttlepositioning gauge;

Fig. i is a View similar to that of Fig. 2 but showin a secondmodification of the shuttle position gauge;

Fig. 5 is a view similar to that of Fig. 2 but showing a thirdmodification of the shuttle position gauge;

Fig. 6 is a view in perspective of th gauge shown in Fig. 4; and,

. in the shuttle box.

Fig. '7 is a view in perspective of the shuttle position gauge shown inFig. 5.

The drawings show a portion of the right hand end of the lay with theright hand shuttle box and portion of the replenishing mechanism. The

other parts and mechanisms of the loom, not

shown, may be of any suitable usual construction and form no part of thepresent invention.

The drawings show part of the right hand end of the lay, including a laybeam l, picker stick 2, carrying a picker 3, a shuttle feeler indicatedgenerally at 4 and parts of the right hand shuttle box including thfront box plate 5, back box plate 6 and floor plate l'. A shuttle 8 isshown The shuttle has a spur 9 on one end and a spur ill on the otherend and is provided with a bobbin engaging spring I I.

It is essential to the proper operation of the filling replenishingmechanism that upon transfer the shuttle be in proper position withrespect to the magazine. As the position of the shuttle in the shuttlebox depends upon the position of the picker stick, the position of thepicker stick must be adjusted so that each time the shuttle comes torest with the spur of the shuttle firmly pressed against the picker, theshuttle will be properly positioned for transfer.

The picker stick 2 oscillates in a slot in the bottom of the shuttle boxas the shuttl is picked into and out of the box. When the shuttle is atrest in the shuttle box as shown on Fig. 2, the picker stick is at theouter end of the slot and rests against a buiier pad in the outer end ofthe slot. The pad may comprise a lay end strap I2 made of leather orother suitable material. A padding l3 made of leather or other suitablematerial is placed beneath the strap 42. The position of the pickerstick and thereby of the picker is adjusted by increasing or decreasingthe thickness of the padding.

When a call for replenishment of filling has been made by the fillingfeeler mechanism, not shown, the shuttle feeler 4 is raised to feelingposition to feel the shuttle as the lay moves forwardly to see if it isproperly boxed. If the shuttle is not properly boxed, that is if thfeeler contacts the shuttle and cannot push it into proper position inthe box, the feeler revokes the call for transfer and no transfer takesplace. When the shuttle is properly boxed the spur of the shuttle shouldmove past the shuttle feeler with a slight clearance therebetween.

In the proper operation of the loom the shuttle feeler should clear thespur of the shuttle when.

the shuttle is properly boxed for transfer and means are provided foradjusting the position of the shuttle feeler to give this clearance.

The means for adjusting the shuttle feeler may comprise a pair of spacedfitting strips M|5 on the shuttle feeler tip H5 at the junction of thetip with the shuttle feeler arm ll.

The clearance between the shuttle feeler and the spur of the shuttle maybe adjusted by filing either strip M or [5. In addition to this means ofadjustment, the bracket (not shown) by which the shuttle feeler ismounted on the loom frame may be provided with fitting strips.

From the foregoing it is seen that for proper adjustment of the pickerstick and shuttle feeler the shuttle must first be properly positionedin the shuttle box in relation to the magazine.

To properly position th shuttle relative to the magazine for transfergauge means are provided. Suchgauge means may comprise a male and afemale gauge member.

The male gauge member may comprise a spindie It! of the same fength asthat of the filling.

thereon. The rings '20 may be metallic rings mounted on the head orprojecting ribs formed,

a The spindle is is provided with indicating means located at apredetermined distance. from the head It. The indicating means maycomprise a laterally extending projection or abutment 2|. The projection2| may be formed integral with the spindle IE or as a separate memberfixedly attached thereto. The projection 2! has a rounded free end 22provided with flat parallel machined sides for a purpose later to bedescribed.

The female gauge member may comprise a spindle 23 made of wood or metalor any other suitable material. The spindle 23 has at one end anenlarged cylindrical head or butt '24. The head 24 is of the same sizeas the head of the filling carriers used in the loom and is providedwith a plurality of raised spaced ribs or rings 25. The head 24 maybeformed integral with the spindle 23 or may be a separate member fixedlymountedthereon. The rings 25 may be metallicrings mounted on the head orprojecting ribs formed integral therewith. The spindle 23 isprovidedwith indicating means located at a predetermined distance fromthe head 24. The indicating means may comprise a laterally ex tendingprojection 'or abutment 26. The projection 26 maybe formed integral withthe spindle 23' or as a separate member fixedly attached thereto. 'The'outer end o'f the projection 25 is integral therewith.

provided with a recess 21, having parallel machined side walls, for thereception of the free end'2; of projection 2|.

The shuttle position gauge of my invention is adapted to be used withany type of magazine in'which a reserve supply of filling carriers aremaintained and'in which each carrier is successively brought into aposition over' the shuttle for transfer by a transferrer. The particularmagazine shown on the drawing is of the rotary battery type and includesa transferrer 28, a disc 29 provided with spaced circumferential pocketstllfor reception ofthe bobbin butts, and a disc 3! provided with spacedcircumferential pockets 32 for the reception of the bobbin tips. Thepockets 3?. may be mounted on disc 3i and spring I 33 may be employed topermit resilient movement between the disc, and the pockets.

As shown on Fig. 2 the male member is placed in the battery in theposition ordinarily occupied by a bobbin when in transfer position. Thefemale member is placed in the shuttle in the position ordinarilyoccupied by the bobbin with the head engaged by the bobbin grippingspring, then by moving the shuttle in the shuttle boX until the maleprojection 22 fits into the recess 21. of the female projection 26 theshuttle is brought into proper position relative to the battery andtransferrer for transfer.

A new and successful method of adjusting the position of the pickerstick and the shuttle feeler may be followed by using the shuttlepositioning gauges of this invention.

Such method may comprise the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative relation to the magazine by moving the lay to the frontcenter, then mounting the male gauge in the magazine and the femalegauge in the shuttle and then aligning the projections of the twobetween the shuttle spur and shuttle feeler and when the shuttle isstopped for transfer it will be properly positioned relative to themagazine for transfer.

Another modification of the gauge member is shown in Figs. 4 and 6. Thegauge as shown in this modification may comprise a spindle 34 made ofwood or metal or any other suitable material. The spindle 35 has at oneend an enlarged cylindrical head or butt 35. The head 35 is of the samesize as the heads of the filling carriers used in the loom and isprovided with a plurality of raised spaced ribs or rings 36. The head 35may be formed integral with the spindle 34 or may be a separate memberfixedly mounted thereon. The rings 36 may be metallic rings mounted onthe head or projecting ribs formed integral therewith. The other end ofspindle 34 extends upwardly and forwardly over the head 35 as seen onFig. 6. The extreme end 31 being in substantially the same verticalplane as the head 35.

As shown on Fig. 4 the gauge is placed in the shuttle with the head 35engaged by the bobbin engaging spring ll. Then the shuttle is moved inthe shuttle box until the end 31 abuts the rear wall of the pocket 38.When in this position the shuttle is properly positioned relative to themagazine for transfer and is locked against longitudinal motion inwardlyof the lay.

The modification of the gauge as shown on Figs. 5 and '7 may comprise aspindle 38 made of wood or metal or any other suitable material. Thespindle 38 has at one end an enlarged cylindrical head or butt 39. Thehead 39 is of the same size as the head of the filling carriers used inthe loom. The head 39 may be formed integral with the spindle 38 or maybe a separate laterally extending projection 40. The projection 40 maybe formed integral with the spindle 38 or as a separate member fixedlymounted thereon. Projection 40 extends laterally from spindle 38 thenextends substantially parallel therewith in a direction towards the head39. The free end of the projection 40 forms an abutment 4| lying insubstantially the same vertical plane as the head 39.

As shown on Fig. 5 spindle 38 is mounted in the battery in the positionordinarily occupied by a bobbin when in transfer position. When in thisposition the projection 40 will extend into the shuttle in the openingtherein ordinarily occupied by a bobbin. By moving the shuttle in theshuttle box until the free end or abutment iii of the projection 40engages the cover 22 of the spring II in the shuttle, the shuttle isbrought into proper operative position relative to the magazine fortransfer. With the shuttle properly positioned relative to the magazine,the picker stick and shuttle feeler may be adjusted in the mannerpreviously described.

When using the modifications shown in Figs. 6 and 7 the method ofadjusting the picker stick and shuttle feeler as set forth above may befollowed. However the gauges shown in Figs. 6 and 7 provide for lockingthe shuttle against longitudinal movement in one direction only. In themodification shown in Fig. 7, however, the projection 40 may be providedwith a head adapted to engage the bobbin engaging spring in the shuttleand thereby positively lock the shuttle.

Having thus fully disclosed the preferred embodiments of my invention, Iclaim:

1. A gauge for positioning the shuttle cf the usual automatic fillingreplenishing loom relative to the magazine thereof, said gaugecomprising means in said shuttle forming an abutment, a member adaptedto be mounted in said magazine and means carried by said member forengaging said abutment and thereby holding said shuttle in operativeposition relative to said magazine.

2. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of an automatic fillingreplenishing loom relative to the magazine thereof, said gaugecomprising means in the magazine forming an abutment, a member adaptedto be mounted in said shuttle and means carried by said member forengaging said abutment and thereby holding said shuttle in operativeposition relative to said magazine.

3. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of the usual automatic fillingreplenishing loom relative to the magazine thereof, said gaugecomprising a member adapted to be mounted in said shuttle, a secondmember adapted to be mounted in said magazine, and cooperatingindicating means carried by said members for indicating operativeposition of said shuttle to said magazine.

4. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of the usual automatic fillingreplenishing loom relative to the magazine thereof, said gaugecomprising a member adapted to be mounted in said shuttle, a secondmember adapted to be mounted in said magazine, and cooperatinginterlocking means carried by said members for locking said shuttle inoperative position relative to said magazine.

5. A shuttle position. gauge comprising a pair of spindles, each of saidspindles having an enlarged head on one end and indicating means fixedthereon at a predetermined distance from said head, each of said headshaving a plurality of spaced ribs thereon.

6. A shuttle position gauge comprising a male member and a femalemember, said male memher including a spindle having an enlargedcylindrical head on one end, and a laterally extending projectionfixedly attached to said spindle at a predetermined distance from saidhead, said female member including a spindle having an enlargedcylindrical head on one end, said last named head having a plurality ofspaced metallic rings mounted thereon and a laterally extending recessedprojection fixedly attached to said last named spindle at apredetermined distance from the head thereof, said recessed projectionbeing adapted to receive said first named projection.

7. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of an automatic replenishing loomof the type including a shuttle box and magazine adapted to hold aplurality of filling carriers and move them successively to transferposition, said gauge comprising a pair of complemental members, each ofsaid members having a projection extending laterally therefrom, one ofsaid members being adapted to be mounted in said magazine in transferposition and the other of said members being adapted to be mounted insaid shuttle, whereby upon movement of said shuttle in said shuttle boxto bring said projections into alignment said shuttle will be properlypositioned relative to said magazine for transfer.

8. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of an automatic replenishing loomof the type including a shuttle box and a magazine adapted to hold aplurality of filling carriers and move them successively into transferposition, said gauge comprising a pair of complemental members, each ofsaid members having a laterally extending projection, one of saidprojections having a recess therein adapted to receive the other projection, one of said members being adapted to be mounted in saidmagazine in transfer position and the other of said members beingadapted to be mounted in the shuttle whereby upon movement of theshuttle in said shuttle box to bring said projections into engagementsaid shuttle will be properly positioned relative to said magazine fortransfer.

9. A gauge for positioning the shuttle of a bobbin changing loom of thetype including a shuttle box and a battery adapted to hold a pluralityof bobbins and move them successively into transfer position, said gaugecomprising a pair of complemental members, one of said members includinga spindle having a butt and a tip and a laterally extending projectionsecured thereto at a predetermined distance from said butt, said memberbeing adapted to be mounted in said battery in transfer position, theother of said members including a spindle having a butt at one end alaterally extending projection at the other end, said last namedprojection having a recess for the reception of said first namedprojection, said second named member being adapted to be mounted in saidshuttle whereby upon placing said shuttle in said shuttle box beneathsaid battery and engaging said projections said shuttle will be inproper position for transfer.

10. A gauge for positioning the shuttle in a bobbin changing loom of thetype including a shuttle having a bobbin holding spring therein, ashuttle box and a rotary battery adapted to hold a plurality of bobbinsand move them successively into transfer position, said gauge comprisinga male member and a female member, said male member including a spindlehaving at one end an enlarged cylindrical head and at a predetermineddistance from said head a laterally extending projection, said malemember being adapted to be mounted in said battery in transfer'position,sai-d female member including a spindle having a laterally extendingrefemale member said shuttle will be properly positioned relative tosaid battery for transfer.

11. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling replenishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative relation to the magazine, then positively locking theshuttle in said position, and then while the shuttle is locked, soadjusting the picker that the latter engages the shuttle. 12. The methodof adjusting the positions of the picker stick and the shuttle feeler ofthe usual automatic filling replenishing loom having a picker, shuttleand magazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative relation to the magazine, then positively locking theshuttle in said position, then while the shuttle is so locked adjustingthe picker so that the latter engages the shuttle and then so adjustingthe shuttle feeler that there is a slight clearance between the sidethereof and the spur of the shuttle. 13. The method of adjusting theposition of the picker stick of the usual automatic filling replenishingloom having a picker, shuttle and magazine, comprising the steps offirst positione ing the shuttle in proper operative relation to themagazine by mounting in the one a member carrying means arranged toengage an abutment on a member carried by the other when the shuttle isin proper operative position, and then so adjusting the picker that thelatter engages the shuttle.

15. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling replenishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative relation to the magazine by mounting in the magazine amember carrying means arranged to engage an abutment on the shuttle whenthe shuttle is properly positioned, and then While the shuttle is inproper position, so adjusting the picker that the latter engages theshuttle.

16. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling replenishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operating relation to the magazine, then positively locking theshuttle in said position from movement in one longitudinal direction bymounting in the shuttle a member having locking means adapted to engagea part carried by the magazine and so lockthe shuttle when the shuttleis in said position, and then while the shuttle is so locked soadjusting the picker that the latter engages the shuttle.

17. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling'replenishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative position'relative to the magazine, then positivelylocking the shuttle in said position from movement in one:

longitudinal direction by mounting in the magazine a member carryinglocking means adapted to engage the shuttle and so look the shuttle whenthe shuttle is in said position, and then while the shuttle is solocked, so adjusting the picker that the latter engages the shuttle.

18. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling replen ishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative position relative to the magazine, then positivelylocking the shuttle while in said position by engaging complementallocking means'mounted on the shuttle and magazine, and then while theshuttle is locked, so adjusting the picker that the latter engages theshuttle.

19. A method of adjusting the osition of the picker stick and shuttlefeeler of a bobbin changing loom so that the shuttle will be properlyposi- "tioned for transfer, comprising the steps of moving the lay tofront center, mounting in the battery in the position normally occupiedby the bob- 'slot in the bottom of the shuttle box until the picker onthe picker stick is firmly pressed against the outer spur of the shuttleand then adjusting the shuttle feeler by filing the fitting strips untilthere is a slight clearance between the side of the feeler and the innerspur of the shuttle.

20. The method of adjusting the position of the picker stick of theusual automatic filling replenishing loom having a picker, shuttle andmagazine, comprising the steps of first positioning the shuttle inproper operative relation to the magazine by mounting in the shuttle amember carrying means arranged to engage an abutment on the magazinewhen the shuttle is properly positioned, and then while the shuttle isin proper position, so adjusting the picker that the latter engages theshuttle. I

21. A gauge for positioning a shuttle member relative to a magazinemember in an automatic filling replenishing loom, said gauge comprisingmeans carried by one of said members forming an abutment, an elementarranged to be mounted in the other of said members, and means carriedby said element for engaging said abutment whereby the shuttle isrestrained from movement out of operative position relative to saidmagazine.

HAROLD HOEBER.

